Stately Homes in Dorset

With miles of undulating Dorset countryside, lavish and charming formal gardens are never too far away. Do you appreciate beautiful, tranquil and intimate settings? Find your corner of paradise and savour Dorset's stunning stately homes and gardens.

Dorset is home to some of the most spectacular homes and gardens in the country, all with their own stories and hidden histories.

Enjoy a relaxing day taking in the wonderful surroundings and imagine these homes in their hay day, playing host to English aristocracy, dignitaries and famous faces.

A long list of famous figures

Many of Dorset’s gardens and grand houses have direct links to some of England’s most famous historical figures.

Visit the very cottage where famous author Thomas Hardy was born in 1840 and then explore the Victorian house Max Gate that Hardy designed himself and lived in up until his death in 1928.

Built in 1594 by Sir Walter Raleigh, the magnificent Sherborne Castle is surrounded by 30 acres of stunning gardens and pleasure grounds. The eighteenth century 'Capability' Brown landscape provides a peaceful and tranquil setting with magnificent specimen trees, borders and sweeping lawns. Wander along paths and trails surrounding a beautiful 50-acre lake inhabited by abundant wildlife found both on the lake and adjacent grounds.

Amazing architecture and wonderful art collections

Kingston Lacy near Wimborne Minster was built in the 17th century. It is an elegant country mansion designed to replicate an Italian Palace and is home to a fine art collection. These include paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Titian and Brueghel, plus a host of carvings, intimate family souvenirs and even an ‘I owe you’ from a king. In the grounds you will find an ancient Egyptian obelisk, a Japanese Garden and restored Victorian kitchen garden.

Athelhampton House is one of the finest 15^th century examples of Tudor architecture and is surrounded by one of the great architectural gardens of England. The Gallery in the west wing exhibits works by the Russian artist Marevna who lived at the house in the 1940s and 50s. The striking Grade I Listed gardens date back to 1891 and are most famous for their pyramid shaped yew trees that dominate The Great Court. The house is also well known for the stunning octagonal pond and their collections of tulips, roses, magnolias, clematis and lilies.

Exotic Paradise

Explore the scenic bliss that lies within Bennetts Water Gardens and follow pathways as they lead you through the series of stunning ponds and lakes blanketed in 140 different varieties of water lilies. The eight acre site of tranquil lakes and a world famous lily collection is surrounded by wetland plants, native trees, palms, wild plants and flowers. Sit and unwind amidst a tropical paradise and explore the shaded woodland walks and exotic plants in The Tropical House.

The 20 acre colourful splendour of Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens is filled with exotic plants and is world famous for its camellia groves and magnolias. The unique micro climate enables rare and exotic species from all over the world to thrive here and the gardens have won the silver medal at Chelsea and silver gilt at Hampton Court Show flower shows.

Award Winning Gardens

Mapperton House and Gardens is a stunning setting that was featured in the Mail on Sunday’s Top 10 British Gardens. With a gentle walk around this magnificent garden you will be able to see why it’s thought of so highly. The house is a Jacobean manor overlooking the 15 acre garden with orangery, topiary and borders, descending to ponds and arboretum. There are outstanding views of the surrounding Dorset hills and woodlands.

Inspiring gardens and horticulture

With Dorset’s mild and bright climate it’s no wonder that it’s home to some magical gardens and horticultural masterpieces. Take in the grandeur of these wonderful grounds that have been painstakingly cared for over hundreds of years.

Enthusiastic horticulturalists will love the world-famous displays of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias at Exbury Gardens. Wander along a riverside walk, stop for something to eat at their tea rooms and take a look at captivating art exhibitions. For mini gardeners there are 20 miles of pathways to explore, play areas and a steam railway.

Laid out in a horse shoe shape, Minterne Gardens host world renowned and unique collections of flowers and plants. Himalayan rhododendrons and azaleas, spring bulbs, cherries, maples and many fine and rare trees all sit in stunning harmony with a chain of small lakes, waterfalls and streams. Meander along the mile long trail and use the benches to sit and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of your surroundings and picturesque views.

Stay a while

With so many superb stately homes and gardens in Dorset, why not take a long weekend to explore them all and find your perfect spot of paradise.

Use our accommodation search to find your ideal overnight stay. Warm up over a cup of tea and cake at one of Dorset’s best spots for Afternoon Tea and check out great places to eat out.

Follow our lively Social Media for fresh Dorset inspiration, updates, news and competitions.

For further information, check out our What's On page for the latest events in Dorset or for more ideas browse our Things To Do page for a vast range of attractions, activities, shopping, entertainment and more!

Number of results:

Number of results: 26

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
753 reviews
Athelhampton House and Gardens

Type

Type:

Historic House/Palace

DORCHESTER

Athelhampton House and Gardens is now open for pre-booked ticket entry. Their restaurant has now re-opened. Athelhampton House & Gardens is one of the finest English manor houses, with beautiful furnished rooms. The Grade I Listed gardens are home…

Price Free to £9.50 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
658 reviews
Highcliffe Castle

Type

Type:

Castle/Fort

Highcliffe, CHRISTCHURCH

*LATEST UPDATE* The Castle and grounds of Highcliffe Castle and the car park are open. A family-friendly, magnificent Grade I Listed 1830's mansion, built by Lord Stuart de Rothesay, surrounded by beautiful wooded grounds. There is direct access to…

Price Free to £15.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
129 reviews
Keyneston Mill

Type

Type:

Botanic Garden

Blandford Forum

Keyneston Mill is open from 10am - 5pm (everyday except Tuesday). The Scented Botanist bistro has a new lunch menu, socially distanced inside seating is now available and we are taking reservations. Alternatively, our picnics and takeaways are also…
Special Offers
- BLANDFORD
  Unlimited Annual Membership - £25
  Friends Annual MembershipIf you share our passion for scented plants or plan to visit our gardens more than once this year, we strongly recommend that you consider our Friends Membership.Benefits of Friends Annual Membership:– Unlimited garden entry for yourself and one other– A regular online newsletter– Exclusive promotional discounts on experiences, events and perfume products– Our Friends Membership is paperless, so all you will need to do is mention your name on arrival
  Please, visit our website to purchase or email us at events@keynestonmill.com.
  More offers like this - Attraction Offers
- BLANDFORD
  3 for 2 on Make Your Own Fragrance Workshop (Blending Workshop) - £70 per person
  An enjoyable, hands-on workshop for people who are interested in how perfumes are created and would like to try for themselves. A practical session where you will discover some key ingredients and learn the basics of how fragrances are constructed and then, under the guidance of our experts, create your own custom fragrance. You’ll come away with a simple perfume that you’ll have designed and blended yourself!
  This workshop will be run by Julia Bridger, co-founder of Parterre, or one of the expert team – and can be booked in conjunction with the Introduction to Perfume & Botanical Extracts workshop, giving more context to the practical elements, or it can simply be booked on its own.
  To book, email our events@keynestonmill.com, mentioning our 3 for 2 offer.
  More offers like this - Activity Offers
- BLANDFORD
  Introduction to Perfume & Botanical Extracts Workshops + Make Your Own Fragrance (Blending Workshop)
  £105 per person (normally worth £120pp)Introduction to Perfume & Botanical Extracts Workshops
  A half-day introductory workshop giving an overview of the structure and theory of fragrance, and the creation of perfume ingredients and methods of distillation at Keyneston Mill. You'll come away understanding more about fragrance families, how perfumes are constructed, and how we create our fine fragrances at Parterre, from seed to bottle. Be prepared to sniff!
  Make Your Own Fragrance Workshop
  An enjoyable, hands-on workshop for people who are interested in how perfumes are created and would like to try for themselves. A practical session where you will discover some key ingredients and learn the basics of how fragrances are constructed and then, under the guidance of our experts, create your own custom fragrance. You’ll come away with a simple perfume that you’ll have designed and blended yourself!
  This workshop will be run by Julia Bridger, co-founder of Parterre, or one of the expert team – and can be booked in conjunction with the Introduction to Perfume & Botanical Extracts workshop, giving more context to the practical elements, or it can simply be booked on its own.
  To book, email events@keynestonmill.com
  More offers like this - Activity Offers
- BLANDFORD FORUM
  Special offer at The Scented Botanist bistro at Keyneston Mill
  Starting on Wednesday 28th October until Thursday 20th November.25% off any lunch dishes from The Scented Botanist new autumn menu.
  Available Monday, Wednesday & Thursday (12-3pm). Valid for a maximum of £10.00 per person. Not available on drinks & cakes.
  More offers like this - Eating Out Special Offers
Price Free to £25.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1264 reviews
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest

Type

Type:

Country Park/Nature Reserve

Ringwood
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest is now open. Check their website for the latest information about which facilities are available.
Price £1.60 to £79.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1773 reviews
Kingston Lacy

Type

Type:

Historic House/Palace

WIMBORNE

Kingston Lacy parkland, garden, takeaway cafe, shop and toilets are now open. The ground and state floors in the house are open but with limited availability. Pre-purchased tickets are required. Please check the National Trust website before…

Price Free to £25.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1258 reviews
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

Type

Type:

Garden

Weymouth

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens are now open for pre-booked ticket holders. They are asking everyone who wishes to visit to book online, indicating their date and time of arrival.

Price Free to £10.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
2113 reviews
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Type

Type:

Museum

Bournemouth
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum has now re-opened. The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum houses important collections of paintings, sculpture, furniture, ceramics, world-wide collections and contemporary craft commissions.
Price Free to £20.00 Per Ticket
Mapperton House & Gardens

Type

Type:

Garden

BEAMINSTER
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
Mapperton Gardens is now open for pre-booked ticket holders. You can book tickets in advance online via the Mapperton website. Historic House and RHS members can visit free of charge but will still need to obtain an online ticket in advance. The…
Price Free to £10.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
535 reviews
Sherborne Castle and Gardens

Type

Type:

Historic House/Palace

Sherborne
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
The Castle Gardens are open from 10am-5pm every Saturday and Sunday until 1st November, last admission 4pm. The Tea Room and Gift Shop are open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am – 4pm. Unfortunately the Castle will not be open during 2020. Built by…
Price Free to £9.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
263 reviews
Bennetts Water Gardens

Type

Type:

Garden

WEYMOUTH

NOW CLOSED. REOPENS 22 MARCH 2021
Bennetts Water Gardens has now re-opened. There are limits on the number of people who can visit and you will need to book a ticket in advance of your visit. Eight acres of gardens. Outstanding displays of water…

Price £4.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
138 reviews
Avon Heath Country Park

Type

Type:

Country Park/Nature Reserve

RINGWOOD
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
Avon Heath Country Park is now open. Check their website for the latest information about which facilities are available. A mosaic of glorious heathland and forest, laced with waymarked trails and picnic spots, together with a visitor centre, play…
Free
St. Johns Almshouse

Type

Type:

Historic House/Palace

SHERBORNE

Picturesque 15th Century almshouse
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
423 reviews
Lulworth Castle & Park

Type

Type:

Castle/Fort

EAST LULWORTH, Wareham
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
The Castle and Parklands are now open. Welcome to Lulworth Castle and Park, situated at the heart of the privately owned Lulworth Estate. Follow the fascinating story of the castle and the inspiring past of its dedicated owners. Discover…
Price Free to £6.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1231 reviews
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway

Type

Type:

Garden

Exbury

Exbury Gardens are now open. Please check their website for which facilities will be open. You can watch virtual garden tours on their social media channels. Now more than 100 years old, Exbury Gardens is a spectacular collection of woodland,…

Price Free to £11.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1142 reviews
Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve

Type

Type:

Country Park/Nature Reserve

SWANAGE
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
Durlston Country Park and Castle is now open. The toilets at the Learning Centre are open. The Kiosk is open for takeaway 11am - 4.30pm every day. The cafe is open for dining Tuesday-Sunday 10am - 4pm (call 01929 421111 for bookings).
Free
Greenhill Gardens

Type

Type:

Garden

Weymouth

Greenhill Gardens, situated right on the seaside is one of the gems of the area. The award winning Gardens has brightly coloured borders, winding paths, recreational areas and one of the best views of Weymouth Bay and the Dorset coastline ever…

Free
Hardy's Cottage

Type

Type:

National Trust Property

DORCHESTER

*LATEST UPDATE* Hardy's Cottage is currently closed.
Thomas Hardy was born in 1840 in this small cob and thatch cottage, which was built by his great-grandfather and is little altered since the family left. His early novels Under the Greenwood Tree…

Price Free to £19.30 Per Ticket
Minterne Gardens

Type

Type:

Garden

DORCHESTER

Minterne Gardens are now open (usual hours from 10am to 6pm). Please observe the notices in place during the Coronavirus situation: respect 2 metre social distancing, there is a One-Way system around the Garden. Toilets will be open for emergencies…

Price £6.00 Per Ticket
Langmoor and Lister gardens

Type

Type:

Garden

Lyme Regis

Lyme Regis’ award winning seafront garden provides one of the finest views across Lyme Bay. Home to crazy golf and table tennis along with seating for those that simply want to enjoy the view.
Hamworthy Park & Beach

Type

Type:

Parks & Gardens

Poole

Hamworthy Park beach offers an oasis of peace and tranquility from the busy town centre.

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Stately Homes in Dorset

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A long list of famous figures

Amazing architecture and wonderful art collections

Exotic Paradise

Award Winning Gardens

Inspiring gardens and horticulture

Stay a while

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